INFICON Micro GC Fusion Portable Gas Chromatograph
| Origin | USA |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer Type | Authorized Distributor |
| Origin Category | Imported |
| Model | Micro GC Fusion |
| Pricing | Available Upon Request |
Overview
The INFICON Micro GC Fusion is a high-performance, portable gas chromatograph engineered for rapid, field-deployable, and laboratory-grade quantitative gas analysis. Built upon proven micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)–based gas chromatography architecture, it employs capillary column separation coupled with temperature-programmed oven control to resolve complex gas mixtures with high selectivity and reproducibility. Unlike conventional benchtop GCs, the Micro GC Fusion integrates miniaturized thermal conductivity detection (μTCD) with MEMS-fabricated flow cells, enabling sub-ppm detection limits for permanent gases (H₂, O₂, N₂, CO, CO₂, CH₄) and hydrocarbons up to C₁₂. Its compact, ruggedized chassis—designed for operation in ambient temperatures from 0 °C to 50 °C and relative humidity ≤90% non-condensing—supports true at-line, on-site, or mobile deployment without external gas supplies or cryogenic cooling. The system operates under ISO/IEC 17025–aligned analytical workflows and is routinely validated per ASTM D1945, ASTM D1946, and ISO 6974–2 for natural gas composition analysis.
Key Features
- Ultra-fast analysis cycles: Complete chromatographic runs in 1–3 minutes, enabled by rapid oven ramp rates (up to 120 °C/min) and low thermal mass column modules.
- MEMS-based micro-thermal conductivity detector (μTCD): Delivers >10× higher sensitivity versus conventional TCDs, with linear dynamic range spanning 10⁴ and baseline stability <0.1 mV/hour.
- Integrated 7-inch LED-backlit touchscreen interface: Provides real-time chromatogram visualization, method editing, calibration management, and instrument diagnostics without external hardware.
- Web-native GUI architecture: Fully browser-accessible via embedded Wi-Fi or Ethernet; supports remote configuration, data export (CSV, PDF), and secure user authentication (role-based access control).
- Modular column oven design: Accepts interchangeable GC modules (e.g., PLOT Al₂O₃, MS-5A, CP-Sil 5 CB) for method-specific optimization; hot-swappable without tools or recalibration.
- Optional integrated sample conditioning unit: Maintains sample stream at constant 100 °C and regulates inlet pressure up to 1000 psi—critical for LPG, refinery gas, and high-pressure biogas applications.
Sample Compatibility & Compliance
The Micro GC Fusion is validated for gaseous samples across diverse industrial matrices, including natural gas, refinery off-gas, syngas, landfill gas, transformer mineral oil headspace (DGA), and stack emissions. It complies with key regulatory and quality frameworks: US EPA Method 18 for VOC speciation, ASTM D1945 (natural gas), ASTM D1946 (refinery gas), ISO 6974–2 (gas chromatographic determination of hydrocarbon components), and IEC 60599 (DGA interpretation). Data integrity meets FDA 21 CFR Part 11 requirements through electronic audit trails, user-defined permissions, and immutable raw data storage. All firmware and method files are digitally signed to ensure traceability during GLP/GMP audits.
Software & Data Management
Chromatographic data acquisition and processing are managed via INFICON’s FusionControl™ software suite—installed locally or hosted remotely. The platform supports automated peak integration using iterative curve-fitting algorithms (Gaussian/Lorentzian deconvolution), retention time locking, and multi-point external standard calibration with quadratic weighting. Raw data (.FID, .CDF) and processed reports are exportable in formats compliant with LIMS integration (ASTM E1381, ASTM E1467). Instrument logs—including temperature profiles, detector baselines, and valve actuation timestamps—are retained for ≥12 months and searchable by date, operator ID, or sample ID. Firmware updates are delivered over-the-air with version rollback capability and SHA-256 hash verification.
Applications
- Natural gas and extended natural gas analysis (C₁–C₁₂ hydrocarbons, H₂S, CO₂, N₂)
- Refinery gas monitoring (C₁–C₅, H₂, H₂S, mercaptans)
- Permanent gas quantification (O₂, N₂, Ar, CO, CO₂, H₂) in industrial process streams
- Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) composition verification per ASTM D2163
- Syngas and fuel cell feedstock characterization (H₂/CO ratio, impurity profiling)
- Landfill and anaerobic digester biogas (CH₄, CO₂, H₂S, NH₃)
- Stack emission compliance testing (NOₓ precursors, SO₂ surrogates)
- Wellhead and wireline logging gas analysis (hydrocarbon ratios for formation evaluation)
- Dissolved gas analysis (DGA) in power transformer oils per IEC 60599
FAQ
What carrier gases are compatible with the Micro GC Fusion?
Helium, hydrogen, and nitrogen are supported; hydrogen enables fastest analysis and highest μTCD sensitivity, while helium provides optimal resolution for C₆+ hydrocarbons.
Can the instrument be integrated into an OEM system or SCADA network?
Yes—its RS-232, RS-485, Modbus TCP, and OPC UA interfaces enable seamless integration with PLCs, DCS, and industrial automation platforms.
Is method validation support available for regulated environments?
INFICON provides IQ/OQ documentation templates, system suitability test protocols, and on-site validation assistance aligned with ISO/IEC 17025 and 21 CFR Part 11.
What maintenance intervals are recommended for routine operation?
Column cleaning every 500 injections; μTCD cell inspection every 6 months; full system performance verification annually or after 2000 runs.
Does the Micro GC Fusion support unattended operation?
Yes—scheduled auto-calibration, event-triggered sampling, and alarm-driven shutdown (e.g., pressure loss, temperature excursion) are configurable via the web GUI.
